John Martin Pittman

JOHN MARTIN PITTMAN, 66, died at his St Thomas, USVI home May 24, 2023, with his loving and devoted wife Gwen by his side.John is a 1974 graduate of Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst Ohio, a member of Lakeview Baptist Church in Vermilion Ohio, and a 2006 Retiree of the Ford Motor Company's Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake Ohio, where he worked for 31 years, 15 years as a Millwright. John was a member of the Ford Emergency Response Team, serving as Team Captain from 2001 to 2006. The team won numerous awards at the Firefighters Competition at Michigan State University during John's lead. John also taught the Lockout & Tag Out Safety Course and Crane Operator's Safety Course at Ford. John served 6 Years in the United States Navy as a Naval Aviator. John flew on P-3 Charlie Lockheed Electra aircrafts as an In-flight Electronics Technician. John's Naval career took him around the world.John is a Member American Legion Post 118, a Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1662 in his hometown of Amherst Ohio and AmVets Post 55, Sheffield Lake Ohio, and a past member of the Rotary Club of St Thomas.John enjoyed traveling with his wife across the U.S, Hawaii and the Caribbean, where he earned his PADI Open Water Dive Certification at age 62. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and numerous family friends, excited when they would visit him on St Thomas. John is greatly missed by his wife of 19 years Gwendolyn Renae Brinson Pittman, whom he first met in 6th grade, brother R. Stephen (Steve) Pittman (Jeannie Jenkins) of Elyria, Ohio, daughters Stephanie K. Pittman (David Mawson) of Amherst Ohio, Alicia N. Ross Pittman (Greg Franz) of Poplar Bluff Missouri, and Katelyn R. Pittman (Dalton Estep) of Amherst Ohio, bonus son Joshua Niemiec of Elyria Ohio, grandchildren Grant, Jorden, Isabella, and Dalton John (DJ) - born on Father's Day 2023, bonus grandchildren J.D.,Trent, Lauralene and Everleigh, and several cousins. John was blessed with an endless number of friends around the world, whom he loved as family.For Stateside family and friends, Military Honors will be held July 14, 2023 at 12:00 Noon at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park on North Lake Street Amherst Ohio. Please meet at the American Legion Post 0118 by noon for the Honors Ceremony. A reception will follow at the Legion Post throughout the afternoon.For island friends, a Celebration of Life will be August 5, 2023 at his favorite beach, Hull Bay Beach on St Thomas at Nomads beginning at noon.In lieu of flowers or donations, John wishes you hug your loved ones and go for ice cream!